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Abstract:

A locking cover for an electrical connecting appliance, to be mounted on
a second electrical connecting appliance connected to a first electrical
connecting appliance, for preventing a disconnection between the first
electrical connecting appliance and the second electrical connecting
appliance. The locking cover includes a cover main body externally fitted
onto the second electrical connecting appliance, first locking pieces
formed on the cover main body, and second locking pieces formed on the
cover main body. The first locking pieces elastically engages first
appliance side locking portions, and release an elastic engagement by
receiving an external force to an engagement releasing position. The
second locking pieces elastically disengageably engage second appliance
side locking portions provided on the second electrical connecting
appliance. The second locking pieces are pressed by the first locking
pieces displaced to the engagement releasing position to restrict
releasing an engagement with the second appliance side locking portions.

Claims:

1. A locking cover for an electrical connecting appliance, adapted to
mount on a second electrical connecting appliance connected to a first
electrical connecting appliance for preventing a disconnection between
the first electrical connecting appliance and the second electrical
connecting appliance, comprising: a cover main body externally fitted
onto the second electrical connecting appliance; first locking pieces
formed on the cover main body, elastically engaging with first appliance
side locking portions provided on a side of the first electrical
connecting appliance, and releasing an elastic engagement by receiving an
external force to be displaced to an engagement releasing position; and
second locking pieces formed on the cover main body, and elastically
disengageably engaging with second appliance side locking portions
provided on a side of the second electrical connecting appliance, wherein
the second locking pieces are pressed by the first locking pieces
displaced to the engagement releasing position to restrict a displacement
in a direction releasing an engagement with the second appliance side
locking portions.

2. A locking cover for an electrical connecting appliance according to
claim 1, wherein the first locking pieces are supported in hinge portions
formed on side walls of the cover main body, and are displaced by the
hinge portions as a supporting point, and the second locking pieces are
formed as parts of the side walls facing the first locking pieces.

3. A locking cover for an electrical connecting appliance according to
claim 1, wherein one of the first and the second locking pieces comprises
pressing projections abutting against the other of the first and the
second locking pieces when the first locking pieces are displaced to the
engagement releasing position.

4. A locking cover for an electrical connecting appliance according to
claim 1, further comprising a fixing device interposed in a gap between
the cover main body and the second electrical connecting appliance.

5. A locking cover for an electrical connecting appliance according to
claim 4, wherein the fixing device comprises an elastic member abutting
against an inner surface of the cover main body and an outer surface of
the second electrical connecting appliance.

6. A locking cover for an electrical connecting appliance according to
claim 4, wherein the fixing device comprises a wedge-like member abutting
against an inner surface of the cover main body and an outer surface of
the second electrical connecting appliance, and capable of changing an
abutting position thereof.

Description:

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking cover for an electrical
connection appliance for maintaining a connected state of the electrical
connecting appliance.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Conventionally, in an electrical appliance and the like, an
electricity supply or the sending and receiving of an electrical signal
is carried out through a cord, a cable, and the like, and for the
aforementioned connections, the electrical connecting appliance
comprising a plug, a socket, a connector and the like, is used. In this
kind of electrical connecting appliance, if the connection thereof is
loosened because the cord, the cable, and the like are pulled and the
like for some reason, the connection between terminals is disconnected,
or a contact failure and the like occur so as to have a possibility to
cause trouble.

[0003] Therefore, there exists a conventional technology for maintaining
the connected state of such electrical connecting appliance. For example,
there is well-known a lock structure of a cord retaining apparatus
comprising a clamper and a holder mutually connected, and while the
clamper comprises an elastic engaging piece provided on a side wall of a
main body of the clamper, and including an engaging portion on a front
side which becomes a connecting side relative to the holder, the holder
comprises a corresponding engaging portion engaging with the engaging
portion of the clamper. Also, the elastic engaging piece of the clamper
is connected to a support piece extending from the side wall of the
clamper main body so as to be integrally formed with the clamper main
body, and also the support piece extends in a direction of inclining to
the front side from the side wall of the clamper main body (see Patent
Document 1).

[0005] In the conventional technology described in the aforementioned
Patent Document 1, however, in the clamper, in order to stably hold the
socket (a cord end portion), there is provided a convex engaging wall
corresponding to an outer shape of the socket on an inner wall of the
clamper. However, especially, when a lock is released (i.e., the clamper
is removed from the holder), a force acts in a direction wherein the
clamper is disengaged from the socket, so that in a case wherein there is
variability in the outer shape of the socket used, there has been a
problem that the clamper comes off from the socket, so that a user is
required to mount the clamper again.

[0006] Also, in the aforementioned conventional technology, since the
locking wall of the clamper has a structure which is hard to be deformed,
it has been necessary to constitute the clamper by a pair of half divided
members, and to assemble the half divided members in a state wherein the
socket is mounted internally. Therefore, there have been problems that
the number of components increases, and also that a load of an assembling
operation increases.

[0007] The present invention is made in view of the problems of such
conventional technology, and an object of the present invention is to
provide a locking cover for an electrical connecting appliance which can
prevent a disengagement from the electrical connecting appliance when the
lock is released, while maintaining a high durability and a lock force
relative to repeated use.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the first invention
is a locking cover (5) mounted on a second electrical connecting
appliance (4) connected to a first electrical connecting appliance (7),
and preventing a disconnection between the first electrical connecting
appliance and the second electrical connecting appliance. The first
invention has a structure in which the locking cover (5) includes a cover
main body (21) externally fitted into the second electrical connecting
appliance; a first locking piece (23) formed in the cover main body,
elastically engaging with a first appliance side locking portion (34)
provided on the first electrical connecting appliance side, and also
being displaced to an engagement releasing position by receiving an
external force so as to release the elastic engagement; and a second
locking piece (24) formed in the cover main body, and elastically
disengageably engaging with a second appliance side locking portion (11)
provided on the second electrical connecting appliance side. Also, the
second locking piece is pressed by the first locking piece which has been
displaced to the engagement releasing position so as to restrict a
displacement in a direction wherein an engagement with the second
appliance side locking portion is released.

[0009] Also, a second invention can have a structure in which the first
locking piece is supported in a hinge portion (33) extending from a side
wall (22) of the cover main body, and also is displaced by the hinge
portion as a supporting point, and in which the second locking piece is
formed as one portion of the side wall facing the first locking piece.

[0010] Also, a third invention can have a structure in which one of the
first or the second locking piece includes a pressing projection (35)
abutting against the other of the first or the second locking piece when
the first locking piece is displaced to the engagement releasing
position.

[0011] Also, a fourth invention can have a structure of including fixing
means (61 and 71) interposed in a gap between the cover main body and the
second electrical connecting appliance.

[0012] Also, a fifth invention can have a structure in which the fixing
means comprise an elastic member (61) abutting against an inner surface
of the cover main body and an outer surface of the second electrical
connecting appliance.

[0013] Also, a sixth invention can have a structure in which the fixing
means comprise a wedge-like member (71) abutting against the inner
surface of the cover main body and the outer surface of the second
electrical connecting appliance, and also being capable of changing an
abutting position thereof.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the first invention, there provides an excellent
effect to be capable of preventing a disengagement from the second
electrical connecting appliance when a lock is released (i.e., the
elastic engagement between the first locking piece and the first
appliance side locking portion is released) while maintaining a high
durability and a lock force relative to repeated use.

[0015] Also, according to the second invention, due to a simple structure
which can integrally form the cover main body, and the first and the
second locking pieces, the disengagement from the electrical connecting
appliance when the lock is released can be prevented while maintaining
the high durability and the high lock force relative to the repeated use.

[0016] Also, according to the third invention, due to the pressing
projection, an intended portion in the second locking piece can be
pressed by an appropriate force so as to be capable of preventing the
disengagement from the electrical connecting appliance when the lock is
released more reliably.

[0017] Also, according to the fourth invention, even in a case wherein
there is variability in a size of the second electrical connecting
appliance, the wobbling of the locking cover and the second electrical
connecting appliance is prevented so as to be capable of preventing the
disengagement from the electrical connecting appliance when the lock is
released further reliably.

[0018] Also, according to the fifth invention, due to the simple
structure, the wobbling of the locking cover and the second electrical
connecting appliance can be prevented.

[0019] Also, according to the sixth invention, an allowable range relative
to the variability in the size of the second electrical connecting
appliance increases so as to be capable of preventing the wobbling of the
locking cover and the second electrical connecting appliance further
effectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cord retaining apparatus
comprising a locking cover according to the first embodiment.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an AC power-supply cord comprising
a female socket.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the locking cover in a state wherein
the female socket is held.

[0023]FIG. 4(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a lock state of the
cord retaining apparatus, and

[0024]FIG. 4(B) is a cross-sectional view showing an unlock start state
of the cord retaining apparatus.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the locking cover and a leaf
spring attached to the locking cover.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an attachment mode of the
leaf spring relative to the locking cover.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a
modified example of pressing projections of the locking cover according
to the first embodiment.

[0028]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the locking cover according to
a second embodiment and a wedge-like member attached to the locking
cover.

[0029]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an attachment mode of the
wedge-like member relative to the locking cover according to the second
embodiment.

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, with reference to drawings, a cord retaining apparatus
as a locking cover for an electrical connecting appliance according to
the present invention will be explained. In an explanation, directional
terms correspond to directions shown by arrows in FIG. 1.

First Embodiment

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, a cord retaining apparatus 1 according to the
first embodiment is for stably maintaining a connected state of an AC
power-supply cord 3 connected for supplying electricity to a power supply
portion 2 provided in an electrical appliance and the like. The cord
retaining apparatus 1 comprises a plastic locking cover (hereinafter,
simply called as a cover) 5 attached to a female socket 4 provided in an
end portion of the AC power-supply cord 3, and a plastic holder 6 in
which the cover 5 is detachably connected. In a state wherein an end
portion 4a of the female socket 4 is inserted into a male socket 7 (see
FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B)) on a receiving side provided in the power supply
portion 2, the locking cover 5 is locked in the holder 6, so that the
cord retaining apparatus 1 can retain the AC power-supply cord 3 from the
power supply portion 2.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the female socket 4 is an L-shaped socket bent
at an approximately right angle, and includes a metal terminal (not shown
in the figures) in an inside thereof roughly in the same manner as a
heretofore known socket. On right and left side portions of the female
socket 4, there are formed grooves 11 served for a locking of the locking
cover 5. Also, the male socket 7 shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) has a
structure corresponding to the female socket 4, and includes a metal
terminal (not shown in the figures) electrically connected to the metal
terminal of the female socket 4 in an inside thereof.

[0033] The cover 5 has a symmetrical shape, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3,
the cover 5 includes an approximately cubic cover main body 21 whose back
portion and lower portion are open to be externally fitted into the
female socket 4. In the cover main body 21, there are integrally formed a
pair of locking levers 23 disposed outside right and left side walls 22,
and elastically engaging with the holder 6; and a pair of locking walls
24 formed as one portion of the right and left side walls 22, and
elastically engaging, disengageably, with the female socket 4. Moreover,
in a back edge portion of the right and left side walls 22 dividing an
opening of the back portion of the cover main body 21, there is provided
a pair of locking bars 25 elastically engaging with a base end portion 4b
of the female socket 4.

[0034] The locking levers 23 and 23 extend in an up-and-down direction (a
connecting direction between the cover 5 and the holder 6), and include
claw portions 31 as engaging portions provided on a lower side thereof (a
holder 6 side); and knob portions 32 provided on an upper side thereof,
and served for an operation of a user. The locking levers 23 and 23 are
integrally formed with the cover main body 21. Also, in the locking
levers 23 and 23, intermediate portions in the up-and-down direction
thereof are respectively connected to the right and left side walls 22 of
the cover main body 21 through support pieces 33. Thereby, when the
locking levers 23 and 23 receive an operational force (an external force)
of a user, the locking levers 23 and 23 can tilt as a supporting point of
the support pieces 33.

[0035] The claw portions 31 are provided to protrude toward the side walls
22 from ends of the locking levers 23 and 23, and when the cover 5 is
connected to the holder 6, the claw portions elastically engage with
right and left claw receiving portions 34 (see FIGS. 1, 4(A), and 4(B))
provided as corresponding engaging portions on the holder 6 side.

[0036] In the knob portions 32, there is provided a plurality of non-slip
convex portions 32a on a surface (an outer surface) wherein a user
presses with the fingers at a time of the operation. Also, although the
details are described hereinafter, inside the knob portions 32 (side
walls 22 side), there are provided pressing projections 35 served for
preventing the cover from being disengaged from the female socket 4 when
a connection between the cover 5 and the holder 6 is released.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the support pieces 33 have a shape which can be
easily elastically deformed, and extend in a direction of inclining to a
lower side (claw portions 31 side) from the right and left side walls 22.
Preferably, an inclining angle θ of the support pieces 33 is
approximately 45°. Due to an inclination of the support pieces 33,
when the locking and the release of the claw portions 31 relative to the
claw receiving portions 34 are carried out, a bending amount of the
support pieces 33 which elastically deform is decreased. Also, a force
which acts on the support pieces 33 is dispersed so as to reduce a load,
so that a deformation or breakage of the support pieces 33 can be
prevented more appropriately.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the locking walls 24 and 24 are
elastic pieces formed in a central portion of the side walls 22 in a
cantilever shape as fixed ends of a lower end side thereof. Inside the
locking walls 24 and 24, locking claws 41 as engaging portions with the
female socket 4 are provided to protrude toward a female socket 4 side.
In the locking walls 24 and 24, due to an elastic deformation thereof,
end sides wherein the locking claws 41 are provided expand and open so as
to be capable of receiving the female socket 4. The locking claws 41 are
disposed corresponding to the grooves 11 of the female socket 4, and when
the female socket 4 is received inside the cover 5, the locking claws 41
come to a state of being fitted into the grooves 11 thereof.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the locking bars 25 and 25 are provided to
extend downward from an upper wall 42 side of the cover 5, and on an end
thereof, there are provided to inwardly protrude locking claws 43 as
engaging portions with the female socket 4. In the locking bars 25 and
25, due to the elastic deformation thereof, end sides wherein the locking
claws 43 are provided expand and open so as to be capable of receiving
the base end portion 4b of the female socket 4. Also, as shown in FIG. 3,
in a state wherein the cover 5 is attached to the female socket 4, an
upper surface and right and left side surfaces of the base end portion 4b
of the female socket 4 are externally surrounded by the upper wall 42 of
the cover 5 and main bodies of the locking bars 25 and 25, and also a
lower surface of the base end portion 4b is locked by both locking claws
43. Thereby, a disengagement of the base end portion 4b of the cover 5
from the female socket 4 is prevented.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the holder 6 has a symmetrical shape, and
includes a circumferential wall 51 dividing an opening wherein the female
socket 4 is inserted. The claw receiving portions 34 wherein the claw
portions 31 of the locking levers and 23 are locked are disposed in right
and left side portions of the circumferential wall 51. The holder 6 is
mounted on the power supply portion 2 by a fastener member (a screw and
the like) which is not shown in the figures. Incidentally, the other side
member wherein the cover 5 is connected is not limited to the
aforementioned holder 6, and can be variously modified provided that the
other side member includes a structure in which at least the claw
portions 31 can be locked. For example, a locking portion similar to the
claw receiving portions 34 may be provided on an outer wall of the
electrical appliance and the like.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, inside the upper wall 42 of the cover main body
21, there is mounted a leaf spring 61 as a fixing means for preventing
the wobbling of the female socket 4. In the cord retaining apparatus 1
according to the present embodiment, even in a case wherein a size of the
female socket 4 is different, as shown in FIG. 6, the wobbling of the
female socket 4 can be prevented by interposing the leaf spring 61 in a
gap G between the cover main body 21 and the female socket 4, and using
an urging force thereof. Incidentally, as for the fixing means for
preventing the wobbling of the female socket 4, the fixing means is not
limited to the leaf spring 61, and can be rubber and the like having the
similar elasticity.

[0042] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1, 4(A), and 4(B), main operation of
the cord retaining apparatus 1 will be explained.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the female socket 4 wherein the cover 5 is
mounted is inserted into the opening of the holder 6, so that the female
socket 4 and the male socket 7 are electrically connected, and also the
cover 5 is connected to the holder 6 so as to come to a lock state shown
in FIG. 4(A). At that time, the locking levers 23 and 23 of the cover 5
are in an engagement position, and the claw portions 31 come to a state
of being locked in the claw receiving portions 34 of the holder 6.

[0044] Due to such lock structure, even in a case wherein a force acts in
a direction of being separated from the male socket 7 relative to the
female socket 4, the female socket 4 is prevented from being disengaged
from the male socket 7. As a result, the connected state of the AC
power-supply cord 3 relative to the power supply portion 2 is stably
maintained. Also, due to such lock structure, there is the advantage of
being capable of maintaining a high durability and a high lock force
relative to repeated use.

[0045] On the other hand, when the connection between the cover 5 and the
holder 6 is released, as shown in FIG. 4(B), a user turns the locking
levers 23 and 23 in such a way as to pinch the knob portions 32 in the
locking levers 23 and 23 of the cover 5 between the fingers so as to
displace the connection between the cover 5 and the holder 6 to an
engagement releasing position. Thereby, end sides of the locking levers
23 and 23 wherein the claw portions 31 are provided come to an expanded
and open state so as to release the locking of the claw portions 31
relative to the claw receiving portions 34 of the holder 6. Also, at that
time, back end sides of the locking levers 23 and 23 wherein the pressing
projections 35 are provided move in a direction of the side walls 22, and
outer surfaces of the locking walls 24 and 24 are pressed by the pressing
projections 35. Thereby, the locking walls 24 and 24 come to a state
wherein a displacement, in a direction (i.e., a direction wherein the
locking claws 41 are disengaged from the grooves 11) wherein an
engagement with the female socket 4 is released, is restricted.

[0046] Therefore, even in a case wherein a user strongly pulls the cover 5
in a direction shown by an arrow A from a state shown in FIG. 4(B), the
cover 5 is prevented from disengaging from the female socket 4. In the
locking levers 23 and 23, the pressing projections 35 abutting against
the outer surfaces of the locking walls 24 and 24 are provided so as to
be capable of pressing an intended portion in the locking walls 24 and 24
by an appropriate force. The pressing projections 35 are disposed
corresponding to the locking claws 41 (i.e., disposed on back surface
sides of the locking claws 41 clamping the locking walls 24 and 24) so as
to be capable of allowing a pressing force thereof to act in a protruding
direction of the locking claws 41. Incidentally, instead of the pressing
projections 35 of the locking levers 23 and 23, as shown in FIG. 7, the
similar pressing projections 35 can be provided on outer surface sides of
the locking walls 24 and 24. Even in this case, the pressing projections
35 may be disposed corresponding to the locking claws 41. Also, the
similar pressing projections may be provided in both the locking levers
23 and 23, and the locking walls 24 and 24.

Second Embodiment

[0047] Next, with reference to FIGS. 8, 9(A), and 9(B), the cord retaining
apparatus according to a second embodiment will be explained. In the
second embodiment, a structure of the fixing means for preventing the
wobbling of the female socket 4 differs from the case of the first
embodiment. In FIGS. 8, 9(A), and 9(B), the same symbols are assigned to
composition elements similar to the first embodiment. Also, regarding
items similar to the first embodiment, detailed explanations are omitted
except for the items particularly described hereinafter.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 8, inside the upper wall 42 of the cover main body
21, there is mounted a wedge-like member 71 as the fixing means for
preventing the wobbling of the female socket 4. The wedge-like member 71
includes a wedge-shaped main body portion 72 which becomes gradually
thicker toward a back end from a front end; and a guide piece 73 provided
to protrude upward from the main body portion 72. Also, in a notch
portion formed in a back portion of the upper wall 42 of the cover main
body 21, there is provided to line up a plurality of guide grooves 74
wherein right and left side edges of the guide piece 73 can fit into.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B), the wedge-like member 71 can
adjust an insertion depth into the gap G between the cover main body 21
and the female socket 4 by appropriately selecting a position of the
guide grooves 74 wherein the guide piece 73 fits into. Due to such
structure, an allowable range relative to the variability in the size of
the female socket 4 increases so as to be capable of preventing the
wobbling of the cover 5 and the female socket 4 further effectively.

[0050] Although the present invention is explained in the above in detail
based on specific embodiments, the embodiments are absolutely illustrated
as an example, and the present invention is not limited to the
aforementioned embodiments. For example, the socket wherein the locking
cover is mounted is not limited to the aforementioned L-shaped socket,
and may be a socket with another shape (for example, a straight socket)
provided that the socket includes at least the locking portion served for
the locking of the locking cover 5. Also, the locking portion formed in
the socket wherein the locking cover is mounted is not limited to the
aforementioned grooves, and may have another shape (for example, a convex
portion). In a case wherein the locking portion of the socket is the
convex portion, a concave portion or an opening wherein the relevant
convex portion is locked can be formed in the locking lever. Also, not
all of each composition element of the locking cover for the electrical
connecting appliance according to the present invention shown in the
aforementioned embodiments are necessarily essential, and each
composition element of the locking cover for the electrical connecting
appliance according to the present invention can be selectively used
provided that it does not exceed at least the scope of the present
invention.